Weekly Prompt Number Six : The Finale
[ It’s been a pleasure being a part of SYCEP 2014! Thanks to the staff for their dedication and thank you all for making this summer another great experience. (: Too bad we didn't have more time to get to know each other. ]
These six weeks have been one heck of a journey for me.
At the start of the program, I was somewhat ecstatic about working in the BPSOS office. Originally, my understanding was that I would be doing administrative work as the job description said. It turns out that I would be a part of Journey Home 2014; I thought it would be cool to “relive” my JH2013 experience with a new cohort of people and observe how they grow and connect. However, I was also disappointed: what experience would I gain from working with youth if I am aiming for a business major (although, officially, I am undecided)? I also thought I would never find someone to enjoy my summer with since I did not know anyone entering into JH.
But that is when I met Christine. I remembered her as the Girl-Who-Wrote-The-SYCEP-Speech for last summer’s graduation. In short, her positive attitude just radiates in waves across the entire office, so one can assume it is pretty contagious. We shared laughs, smiles and playful comments. I would not speak to any Homie that first week despite the fact I did know a few people from previous. Christine made me a less… let’s just say unkind… person, which made me more open to the Homies (even though at that time I would totally pronounce people’s names incorrectly).
Then Son came. It was nice to know someone else from JH 1.0 would be around the office. I liked our smoothie and bubble tea sessions (thank you, anh). It was also fun to talk to Dennis the Dentist-Lunch Lady and get to know him rather than treating him as just another staff member. Once I realized other JH 1.0 members were also in SYCEP, it was a mini-reunion. Compared to the distance between the Homies for weeks one and two, it was a significant atmosphere difference.
Aside from The Expo Era, a good handful of Homies did turn out to be very good people. They are hilarious, kind, courageous and compassionate. I was not always disrespected or treated as a kid — rather, an actual person who is dedicating herself to helping them grow. I appreciate these Homies the most and encourage them to keep going. They made this Job-But-Somehow-Not-A-Job a whole lot easier. Thank you. (:
The clock, Bambu drinks and Ba Le (Ba Layuh~) made me more optimistic about work as well (these were only important when a. I could not wait to leave or have lunch b. Had cash on hand and c. Was starving).
This chapter has ended and I am home again, but I shall begin a new adventure soon.










